Portable system for heating water with solar energy

ABSTRACT

A portable solar energy water heating system is provided. The system can include an inflow line having an inlet, at least a portion of the inflow line positionable in a body of water. The system can also include an outflow line having an outlet, at least a portion of the outflow line positionable in the body of water. The system can also include a conduit portion housed in a container housing and a magnifying glass or lens positioned over the conduit portion and configured to direct solar energy onto the conduit portion for heating water flowing therethrough between the inlet and the outlet, thereby providing heated water to the body of water. Optionally, the container portion can be at least partially filled with a substance that retains heat, such that the conduit portion is at least partially submerged in the substance.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention is directed to a system for heating water with solar energy, and more particularly to a portable system for heating water with solar energy, such as for a residential or commercial swimming pool.

2. Description of the Related Art

Solar energy systems exist for generating electricity and vary from rooftop installed systems to large utility scale systems with a larger footprint. Solar energy water heating systems also exist, where energy is collected by a solar panel and used to hear water in a water heater tank, where, for example, the household water is circulated through the solar collectors and into the home. However, such systems use solar collectors that are mounted on a rooftop and are bulky and/or heavy, and so are not readily portable or practical for systems in which a solar collector cannot be mounted on the roof.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a portable solar energy water heating system is provided. The system can be used to heat water, such as water in a swimming pool, such as a residential or commercial swimming pool.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a portable solar energy water heating system is provided. The system comprises an inflow line having an inlet, at least a portion of the inflow line positionable in a body of water. The system also comprises an outflow line having an outlet, at least a portion of the outflow line positionable in the body of water. The system also comprises a conduit portion and a magnifying glass positioned over the conduit portion and configured to direct solar energy onto the conduit portion for heating water flowing therethrough between the inlet and the outlet, thereby providing heated water to the body of water.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a portable solar energy water heating system is provided. The system comprises a container housing defining a chamber, a coiled conduit portion disposed in the chamber, and a substance disposed in the chamber such that the coiled conduit portion is at least partially submerged in the substance, the substance configured to retain heat. The system also comprises a magnifying glass or lens positioned on a top portion of the container housing and over the conduit portion and configured to direct solar energy toward the conduit portion for heating one or both of the substance and water flowing through the conduit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of one embodiment of a portable solar energy water heating system connected to a swimming pool for heating water for the swimming pool.

FIG. 2A shows a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of the portable solar energy water heating system.

FIG. 2B shows a schematic side view of the portable solar energy water heating system of FIG. 2A, with portions of the outer housing removed to show the internal components of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a portable solar water heating system 100 that can be operatively connected to a body of water, such as a swimming pool 200 and operated to provide heated water to the body of water (e.g., swimming pool). The system 100 can include an inflow line 310 that directs water from the swimming pool 200 through an inlet 312 to the heating unit of the system 100, and an outflow line 320 that directs heated water from the heating unit of the system 100 back to the swimming pool 200 through an outlet 322.

FIGS. 2A-2B show schematic views of one embodiment of the portable solar water heating system 100. The system 100 can include a magnifying glass or lens 110 that collects light rays from the sun S and directs them onto a conduit portion 120 that carries the water therethrough. In one embodiment, the conduit portion 120 can be arranged in a coiled configuration (see FIG. 2B) within a chamber 132 of a housing 130 of the system 100. However, in other embodiments, the conduit portion 120 can be arranged in other suitable configurations within the chamber 132 of the housing 130 of the system 100. The conduit portion 120 can in one embodiment be a rubber hose (e.g., water hose). In another embodiment, the conduit portion 120 can be made of a metal, such as copper tubing. However, other suitable metals can be used for said tubing (e.g., steel, brass). The conduit portion 120 can have any suitable dimensions (e.g., ⅛ inch diameter tubing, ¼ inch diameter tubing, etc.) and in the embodiment where the conduit portion 120 is coiled, the diameter of the coil can be any suitable diameter (e.g., 6 inch diameter, 12 inch diameter). In one embodiment, the diameter of the coil for the conduit portion 120 is about the same as a diameter of the magnifying glass or lens 110.

Optionally, the chamber 132 can be at least partially filled with a substance S so that the conduit portion 120 is at least partially submerged in the substance S. In one embodiment, the conduit portion 120 is completely submerged in the substance S. The substance S can be a liquid or solid material and preferably has a high thermal conductivity and ability to retain heat. In one embodiment, the substance S is water. In another embodiment, the substance S is oil (e.g., used motor oil). In another embodiment, the substance S is silicon (e.g., silicon powder). However, the substance S can include other suitable materials that can retain heat.

The magnifying glass or lens 110 can be supported over the housing 130 by a distance L1 via one or more support members 112 that support the magnifying glass or lens 110 over the housing 130. In one embodiment, the one or more support members 112 are part of the housing 130 (e.g., a top portion of the housing 130). The distance L1 can in one embodiment be between about ½ inch and about 1 foot. In another embodiment, the distance L1 can be about 6 inches. The distance L1 can be varied (e.g., the length of the support members 112 is adjustable) to vary the amount of heat directed by the magnifying glass 110 toward the conduit portion 120. Preferably, the distance L1 is sufficient to direct enough heat toward the conduit portion 120 to heat the water therein without melting the conduit portion 120. In one embodiment, the magnifying glass or lens 110 directs heat to the conduit portion 120 and the substance S.

In some embodiments, one or more mirrors M can be positioned above the magnifying glass or lens 110 (e.g., mounted to a top portion of the housing 130) to direct sunrays toward the magnifying glass or lens 110. In one embodiment the one or more mirrors M can be a mirror array that extends circumferentially above the magnifying glass 110. In another embodiment, the one or more mirrors M can be a single mirror. Preferably, the one or more mirrors M can be angled relative to a vertical axis so as to reflect sunrays toward the magnifying glass 110. In one embodiment, the one or more mirrors M can be movable or repositionable, thereby allowing the orientation of the mirrors to be adjusted (e.g., to better reflect sunlight toward the magnifying glass 110). In one embodiment, the one or more mirrors M can be pivotally mounted to the housing 130 (e.g., pivotably mounted to a top portion of the housing 130). In one embodiment, the orientation of the one or more mirrors M can be manually adjusted (e.g., adjusted by hand by the user). In another embodiment, the orientation of the one or more mirrors M can be automatically adjusted via a motor (e.g., electric motor) that can actuate a lever to change the orientation of the one or more mirrors M. In another embodiment, the one or more mirrors M can be excluded from the system.

In one embodiment, the system 100 can include a pump P that can pump water between the inflow line 310 and the outflow line 320, and through the heating unit (e.g., coiled conduit portion 120). In one embodiment, the pump P can be operated by solar energy (e.g., collected via a solar collector of the system 100). In another embodiment, the pump P can be connected to a power outlet (e.g., of a home). The system 100 can also include a controller (not shown) to control the operation of the pump P (e.g., control the flow rate provided by the pump P) to thereby at least partially control the temperature of the heated water when returned to the swimming pool 200 or other body of water. That is, by controlling how much time water spends in the heating unit of the system 100 (e.g., via the flow rate provided by the pump), the temperature of the heated water returned to the swimming pool 200 can be controlled. Any suitable pump can be used. In one embodiment, the system 100 can include a temperature sensor (e.g., disposed on the outflow line 320) for sensing the temperature of the heated water being returned to the body of water (e.g., swimming pool 200). In one embodiment, the controller can include a feedback control system, where the operation of the pump P is controlled based at least in part on the sensed water temperature to increase or decrease the amount of heat being directed to the water flowing through the system 100.

As discussed above, the system 100 is advantageously portable, therefore allowing it to be used as needed. The housing 130 can have one or more handles allowing a user to hand carry the system 100 (e.g., allowing a single user to carry the system 100). In one embodiment, the system can weigh less than 100 lbf. In another embodiment, the system can weigh less than 50 lbf. In still another embodiment, the system can weigh less than 25 lbf.

In operation, a user can position the inlet and outlet of the inflow line 310 and outflow line 320, respectively, in the body of water, such as the swimming pool 200. In one embodiment, the user can turn on the pump P to induce flow through the system 100, allowing solar energy directed by the magnifying glass or lens 110 onto the conduit portion 120 to heat said water flowing through the system 100. To cease operation of the system, the user can simply cover the magnifying glass 110 and/or remove the inflow line 310 and/or outflow line 320 from the body of water.

FIG. 1 shows the use of the system 100 for heating water for a swimming pool 200. However, one of skill in the art will recognize that the system 100 can be used to heat water for any body of water, and is not limited to use with a swimming pool. Additionally, the system 100 can be used in a household to heat water (e.g., for cooking, bathing, washing laundry or dishes, etc.).

While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the systems and methods described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventions is defined only by reference to the appended claims.

Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protection extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a sub combination.

Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations. Further, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in the processes illustrated and/or disclosed may differ from those shown in the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps described above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.

For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms “generally parallel” and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees, 10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, or 0.1 degree.

The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims as presented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or as presented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable solar energy water heating system, comprising: an inflow line having an inlet, at least a portion of the inflow line positionable in a body of water; an outflow line having an outlet, at least a portion of the outflow line positionable in the body of water; a container housing; a conduit portion enclosed in the container housing; and a magnifying glass positioned on a top portion of the container housing and over the conduit portion and configured to direct solar energy onto the conduit portion for heating water flowing therethrough between the inlet and the outlet, thereby providing heated water to the body of water.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pump that pumps water through the conduit portion.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the pump is disposed in the container housing and is operated with solar energy collected by a solar collector.
 4. The system of claim 2, further comprising a controller configured to control the operation of the pump to control the flow rate of water through the conduit portion, to thereby at least partially control a temperature of the heated water provided to the body of water.
 5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the heated water provided to the body of water, the controller configured to control the operation of the pump based at least in part on the sensed temperature information to control an amount of heat provided to the water flowing through the conduit portion.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the conduit portion is a coiled metal tube.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the container housing defines a chamber filled with a substance in which the conduit portion is at least partially immersed.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the substance is configured to retain heat and is chosen from the group consisting of oil, water and silicon.
 9. A portable solar energy water heating system, comprising: a container housing defining a chamber; a coiled conduit portion disposed in the chamber; a substance disposed in the chamber such that the coiled conduit portion is at least partially submerged in the substance, the substance configured to retain heat; and a magnifying glass or lens positioned on a top portion of the container housing and over the conduit portion and configured to direct solar energy toward the conduit portion for heating one or both of the substance and water flowing through the conduit.
 10. The system of claim 9, further comprising an inflow line coupleable to the coiled conduit portion and having an inlet, at least a portion of the inflow line positionable in a body of water, and an outflow line coupleable to the coiled conduit portion and having an outlet, at least a portion of the outflow line positionable in the body of water.
 11. The system of claim 9, further comprising a pump that pumps water through the coiled conduit portion.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the pump is disposed in the container housing and is operated with solar energy collected by a solar collector.
 13. The system of claim 11, further comprising a controller configured to control the operation of the pump to control the flow rate of water through the coiled conduit portion, to thereby at least partially control a temperature of the heated water provided by the system.
 14. The system of claim 11, further comprising a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the heated water provided by the system, the controller configured to control the operation of the pump based at least in part on the sensed temperature information to control an amount of heat provided to the water flowing through the conduit portion.
 15. The system of claim 9, wherein the substance configured to retain heat is chosen from the group consisting of oil, water and silicon. 